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Crew injecting poly into a sidewalk.

Concrete Lifting

If you have sinking concrete around your home, Innovative Basement Authority can lift and restore your concrete to help eliminate trip hazards and pooling water problems.

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Do you worry about walking on your exterior concrete steps, sidewalk, driveway, or patio? Are these areas uneven and full of cracking sunken concrete slabs? These issues are all too common around properties throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas,Burnsville, Rogers, Eastern Montana, and Western Wisconsin. While seeing them is no surprise, sinking and uneven concrete results in unsightly gaps and tripping hazards. But we at Innovative Basement Authority can help you rid your property of these dangers with a state-of-the-art repair method. Read on to learn more about how our team can help, and don’t hesitate to contact us for a free inspection and repair estimate.


Causes of Concrete Damage

It’s normal for soil to be wet or dry depending on the season and weather patterns. But this can lead to problems for concrete structures atop the soil. Saturated soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This ongoing, ever-changing process leads to significant pressure exerted on any above concrete. The concrete can succumb to this pressure and crack, sink, become uneven, and sustain other damage including breaking off entirely.

During the construction of your home, soil that is removed is often used again and backfilled around your home. This also can happen prior to the construction of concrete structures on your property like the driveway, patio, and sidewalk. If the builders did not properly compact or tamp down the soil, various problems can ensue over time as the soil shifts. The region’s silty and clay soils are notorious for significantly expanding when wet and shrinking when dry, so it’s not uncommon to deal with concrete problems like settlement and sinking because of the soil’s drainage issues.

Midwest locations including Minnesota, the Dakotas, Eastern Montana, and Western Wisconsin experience often harsh winters with snow and freezing temperatures. As the days go from warm to cold and warm again, this cycle of freezing and thawing can take its toll on concrete structures. Exterior features like your driveway, sidewalk, and patio are most at-risk because of their constant exposure to the elements. Water from snow, snowmelt, and rain can saturate and freeze in the underlying soil or the concrete itself. This can lead to damage including cracking and breaking off, sinking, and heaving.

Award-Winning Service

Groundworks, LLC BBB Business Review
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The team that worked on our basement were awesome!! The job was scheduled for 4 day but they got it done in 2! The quality of work looks…

The team that worked on our basement were awesome!! The job was scheduled for 4 day but they got it done in 2! The quality of work looks excellent. They left the work site neat and tidy! They always had a smile on their faces even when the work was grueling! They deserved every chocolate chip cookie I gave them! Thank you Austin, Jason, and Noah!!!

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Our crawl space project was just completed (stablizing/jacking floor system and encapsulating the crawl space for moisture control). When…

Our crawl space project was just completed (stablizing/jacking floor system and encapsulating the crawl space for moisture control). When we requested an estimate, Jan was very responsive in getting this set up immediately. He worked through and explained the project well. The project was completed by Zach, Brandon, and Ethan. They were professional and answered our questions. They worked long days to get the project completed in a timely manner. They were very orderly and kept our place very clean and organized. Zach was very easy to get in touch with and kept us informed during the entire process. We are extremely pleased with the work and the customer service of this company.

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Gregg P, Kyle W, and Tyler M did an awesome job fixing our garage floor. We had gaps about 2 inches deep in some spots and they managed to…

Gregg P, Kyle W, and Tyler M did an awesome job fixing our garage floor. We had gaps about 2 inches deep in some spots and they managed to get things pretty level. Very happy with the results considering where we started!

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Matt D., Adam B., and Andreas J., helped us stabilize our basement wall. They are punctual, polite and efficient. I'd recommend them if you …

Matt D., Adam B., and Andreas J., helped us stabilize our basement wall. They are punctual, polite and efficient. I'd recommend them if you need a solid crew to help you out.

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Ricky from Minneapolis IBA is professional, knowledgeable and does great work.

Ricky from Minneapolis IBA is professional, knowledgeable and does great work.

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Jackson, Connor and Matt did a great job with the drain tile installation at my office! Very friendly and professional. Highly recommend!

Jackson, Connor and Matt did a great job with the drain tile installation at my office! Very friendly and professional. Highly recommend!

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Tech Michael came to our house last week for an annual inspection, and he did great work, adding a seal for us around the front slab of…

Tech Michael came to our house last week for an annual inspection, and he did great work, adding a seal for us around the front slab of concrete. These guys have done terrific work for us!

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Jeremiah T, Dion R and Mark F did a great job installing the foundation piers. They kept going til the job was done and cleaned up the…

Jeremiah T, Dion R and Mark F did a great job installing the foundation piers. They kept going til the job was done and cleaned up the area before they left. Thanks for your help

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I was very impressed by the company and all that was included in the free initial inspection. I got to meet Nate and he was extremely…

I was very impressed by the company and all that was included in the free initial inspection. I got to meet Nate and he was extremely thorough and informative. He was easy to talk to and I look forward to working with him in the future.

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Robert Palmer, our project consultant, was very personable and professional. He explained our options and shared the technical details for…

Robert Palmer, our project consultant, was very personable and professional. He explained our options and shared the technical details for a lasting repair alternative to complete floor replacement. He respected our decision to collect bids from other contractors before committing to any contractors’ proposal. We really liked that the repairs were within our budget and come with a five year warranty that’s extendible in five year increments and is transferrable to the next home owner.

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Robert was great to work with. Highly recommend the company.

Robert was great to work with. Highly recommend the company.

Mariah Kraatz-Rimkus

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Tanner, Anthony and Swiss did a great job with bracing our basement wall. The team was quick, explained in detail what they were doing and…

Tanner, Anthony and Swiss did a great job with bracing our basement wall. The team was quick, explained in detail what they were doing and why as well as keep the place incredibly clean. Great experience overall!

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David Kottke did a routine maintenance visit for my dehumidifier and did a great job thank you

David Kottke did a routine maintenance visit for my dehumidifier and did a great job thank you

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Very nice and knowledgeable tech.

Very nice and knowledgeable tech.

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All of the above. Many thanks for Gregg P. Kyle W. and Tyler M.

All of the above. Many thanks for Gregg P. Kyle W. and Tyler M.

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Adrian J, Erik O, Deandre D did a great job installing our sump pump. Thank you!

Adrian J, Erik O, Deandre D did a great job installing our sump pump. Thank you!

Emily_Kyle Hamilton

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Eric Brertl, sales rep, was informative in what they could do and how the process goes. Plus, he gave me the impression of being honest…

Eric Brertl, sales rep, was informative in what they could do and how the process goes. Plus, he gave me the impression of being honest and straight forward.

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Big thanks to Jayson. He drove over an hour on a Friday evening to our house for an estimate. He inspected our driveway and foundation. He…

Big thanks to Jayson. He drove over an hour on a Friday evening to our house for an estimate. He inspected our driveway and foundation. He advised us on what our options are and what he thought was the best route to take. Jayson was very honest, courteous, and friendly.

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Sinan was awesome! Very prompt and knowledgeable. Provided good input and had plenty of recommendations to help me with my basement. Will…

Sinan was awesome! Very prompt and knowledgeable. Provided good input and had plenty of recommendations to help me with my basement. Will definitely be calling Innovative for future help.

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David really knew what he was talking about. He got there early immediately identify the problem and scheduled a follow up great on-time…

David really knew what he was talking about. He got there early immediately identify the problem and scheduled a follow up great on-time service! Thanks, David

Is Concrete Lifting the Right Solution for Me?

Concrete is all around your home, including your sidewalk, driveway, patio, garage floor, exterior steps, and interior slab floors. Any cracking and uneven slabs will not mend themselves. They not only make your home look unkempt, but they also are dangerous to anyone walking or driving over them. This is especially true for those with mobility issues. You have a lot to think about as a homeowner, and your safety and that of your family and guests should be a top priority. Keeping all this in mind, it is important to have a reliable repair solution installed to protect your family and home.

Before any repairs, it is also important to understand why concrete experiences problems like cracking and sinking. These and other damages can happen for many reasons, but the root cause typically is the soil underneath the concrete slabs. There are thousands of types of soil throughout the world, and our area has a good mix of clay loam in Bismarck, silty clay loam in Sioux Falls, fine sandy loam in Duluth, silty loam in Rochester, and sand in Eau Claire. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses, and drainage properties, but all can fall victim to the region’s often wet weather and erode, settle, and heave. When the concrete slabs are no longer supported by underlying soil, they will succumb to settling, cracking, and other damage.

Tackling these problems at the source is the key to long-lasting, effective repair. Outdated methods like mudjacking and repouring do not address problems with the soil. But concrete lifting with PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam injections does. This lightweight but durable material is injected underneath the concrete slabs to fill the void between the soil and the slabs. Once the foam hardens, it simultaneously lifts and stabilizes the concrete and strengthens the soil below, as well. This is generally a fast process, as the foam cures 15 minutes after it is installed. It also is waterproof and will not wash out from under the concrete.

FAQs

Call or click for an appointment. One of our Certified Field Inspectors will come to your home and inspect your concrete. He or she will then sit down with you and explain what caused your issues, how they can be fixed and exactly what it will cost.

No. PolyRenewal is a proprietary product.

Yes. PolyRenewal is made from an environmentally friendly material that is waterproof and won’t degrade over time. This means it won’t leach harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil.

PolyRenewal cures very quickly. In fact, you can drive your car over a driveway slab just 15 minutes after it’s been lifted with PolyRenewal.

PolyRenewal is cost-effective because it offers a solution that is long-lasting, unlike mudjacking and slab replacement. And your concrete will never cost less to repair than it does right now.

We do not recommend that you try to lift or level sunken concrete slabs alone. Instead, call a professional to get the best results. 

Concrete Lifting Requires Specialist Tools 

Concrete lifting may seem very simple, and while it can be in some cases, it is very often a complex process that unearths unexpected issues at every turn. For this reason, concrete lifting services often need to use specialist tools and equipment to get the best result for their clients. Lifting a single slab into place may be possible with mudjacking, for example, but if the underlying cause is a foundational problem, the issue will become more complex. 

Without addressing the underlying causes of sinking and cracking, any solution will be short-lived at best. The underlying issue will only continue to exert pressure on the newly repaired slab and lead to a recurrence of the sinking. Worse still, it could start to damage more of your property and cause wide-spread issues. Thankfully, you can rely on professionals to diagnose and treat underlying issues. 

Professionals Offer Better Results 

Foundation repair and concrete lifting specialists have all the tools they need to deal with most situations to hand. This means that you can expect a high-quality result from them no matter how complex the issue. 

Likewise, professionals have access to the best products via supply stores or direct from their manufacturers. This means that they can provide you with the most up-to-date solutions for your issue. This not only gives a fantastic result, but will essentially future-proof your home to a certain extent, offering durability as well as quality!  

Why is Concrete Lifting Needed?

Problems with the concrete around your home like cracks and uneven slabs can be harmful in many ways, including the following:

Sinking and uneven concrete

Personal Safety

Uneven concrete can be difficult for anyone to navigate, from young children and the elderly to anyone with mobility issues. Not only can these vulnerable groups easily trip and fall, but anyone could catch their feet on raised edges of concrete slabs and take a spill. Sunken concrete is a problem anywhere, but it is particularly dangerous around a swimming pool.

Cracked and sinking uneven driveway.

Vehicle Damage

Cracking and uneven concrete driveways and garage floors can not only succumb to the weight of vehicles, but they also can lead to vehicle damage. When vehicles have to continuously negotiate bumps and uneven concrete surfaces, the tires and suspension can suffer and require (frequent and often expensive) repairs.

Uneven walkway of a home.

Home Value and Appearance

Along with affecting the safety of your home, cracked and sunken concrete makes your property look bad. Whether you are house proud or not as concerned with the look of your concrete, the fact is that aesthetics matter. This is especially true when it comes to selling your home. It could be more difficult to sell, as buyers could be quickly turned off by unkempt appearances. This also can drag down the value of your home.

Common Concrete Tips & Mistakes

As experienced concrete lifting specialists in the industry, we have heard and seen it all when it comes to concrete problems and repairs. Here are some tips, as well as common mistakes, to consider in your concrete repair journey.

Helpful Concrete Repair Tips:

  • Monitor Foundation Problems: While they are not always related, problems with exterior concrete also could mean problems with your home’s foundation. Issues with both of these areas tend to be rooted in the soil underneath. As an example, if your driveway butts up against your foundation and there are sunken slabs, your foundation walls also could be cracking and bowing inwards. Keeping an eye on all problems around your home is important in catching and repairing them early.
  • Check for Problems with Drainage: Similarly, drainage issues also could be the cause of or caused by concrete problems. For example, if downspouts drain water directly onto concrete, it could cause the soil under and around the slabs to erode and the slabs to sink. And if uneven slabs are near water management systems like downspouts, water can puddle in the sunken areas.
  • Be Aware of Other Concrete Problems Around Your Home: Since the root of concrete issues like cracking and sinking is the soil, various areas with concrete around your home can be impacted. It’s possible to have uneven concrete along your front sidewalk as well as your back patio. Concrete also can sustain other damage in the form of pitting, flaking, and staining. Monitoring all areas of concrete for various problems is a good proactive practice.

Concrete Repair Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Concealing Cracks: It may be tempting to apply caulk or another sealant to concrete cracks in order cover them up so they won’t look so bad. But this is not going to solve the problem of how the cracks got there in the first place. The cracking will only continue, and whatever is used to try to fill the cracks could end up popping out of place and making the concrete look worse.
  • Installing Other DIY Solutions: In the same vein, other DIY attempts also are discouraged. You may have the best intentions, but concrete lifting and other repairs can be tricky and specialized. It’s important to contact a concrete lifting expert like Innovative Basement Authority so the issues can be properly diagnosed and repaired with tailor-made solutions.
  • Investing in Mudjacking: While mudjacking has been a time-honored tradition when it comes to concrete lifting and repair, it is an outdated method that is expensive, time-consuming, messy, and ultimately not effective. Large holes have to be drilled into the concrete to pump a heavy slurry mix under the concrete, and it takes a long time for the substance to cure. The slab and soil underneath also will end up settling again over time.

Providing Expert Concrete Lifting in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Western Wisconsin, and Eastern Montana

Pennsylvania trusts Innovative Basement Authority for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

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Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Innovative Basement Authority does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.    

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Our Locations

Fargo, ND

1330 41st St. N
Fargo, ND 58102

Minneapolis, MN

6265 Carmen Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

Rush City, MN

1325 S Frandsen Ave
Rush City, MN 55069